£70m Premier League Defender Seen as Konate Alternative

 Real Madrid are exploring alternative defensive options as they prepare to strengthen their backline, with Tottenham's Micky van de Ven emerging as a £70m target should their pursuit of Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate fail to materialize.

The Spanish giants have long been linked with Konate, who enters the final year of his Liverpool contract and could potentially join Madrid on a free transfer next summer. However, the club is actively working on contingency plans with van de Ven now firmly on their radar.

The 24-year-old Dutch international, who stands at 1.93 m, has impressed since joining Spurs from Wolfsburg in August 2023 for £34.5 m. His combination of pace and versatility—being able to play at left-back as well as in central defense—makes him an attractive proposition for Madrid's defensive rebuild.

Tottenham are reportedly demanding around £70m for van de Ven, who remains under contract until 2029 and is considered a key figure in their defensive setup alongside Cristian Romero.

Meanwhile, Madrid's pursuit of Konate continues, with reports suggesting their chief scout, Jose Angel Sanchez, is preparing to travel to England to discuss a potential deal. The French defender has also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is determined to overhaul his central defense over the next couple of transfer windows, with veterans David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger both out of contract and unlikely to be offered extensions.